Nepal Furious About Phone Call Atop Everest

(Newser)
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One more sign that climbing Everest just ain't what it used to be: When a British mountaineer got to the summit over the weekend, he pulled out his smartphone and gave the BBC a video billed as "the world's first live video call ... from the rooftop of the world." Now Nepal tourism officials are in a huff because he didn't clear it beforehand, reports AFP. "Even the tourism ministry has to seek permission from the communication ministry to film, broadcast, or conduct media related events on Everest," says one.

The climber, incidentally, was one of nearly 150 people who reached the summit on Sunday alone. One critic thinks all these inexperienced hikers are making a mess of the mountain, though there have been some nicemilestones of late—along with a sherpa fight. (Read more Mount Everest stories.)

All Nepal has to do is up the roaming fees for the towers in the area. I hazard to guess it was not a cellphone that he used. It was most likely A Bgan phone such as Inmarsat. They are rugged, compact, and reliable in such conditions. They also work anywhere that has a view of the sky.

Zero_for_President

May 22, 2013 6:29 PM CDT

Most of you are unconscious- without the materialism and fascist military empire support for your corrupt society's effect on the natural world. None of you have been into the Khumbu. None of you know Sagamarta, goddess of the Earth. You're online, JO like fools- not making a difference in the world of tomorrow. http://www.heartvote.com

backpath2

May 22, 2013 5:30 AM CDT

Nepal should bar access to Everest indefinitely. Its turned into a high altitude slum/trash heap.